The surgical N95 mask is considered to be the industry standard for Covid defense.
The snug-fitting mask, however, may expose wearers to risky concentrations of harmful substances, according to a study that was surreptitiously re-shared by the National Institutes of Health in the spring.
Researchers from Jeonbuk National University in South Korea examined several reusable cotton masks in addition to two other disposable medical-grade mask kinds.
The investigation discovered that the toxic volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) emitted by these masks were eight times the recommended safety level.
While lengthy and frequent exposure to TVOCs has been related to organ damage and even cancer, short-term exposure has been connected to health problems like headaches and nausea.
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Cotton Masks Found to Have Lower Levels of Toxic Chemicals Than Disposable Masks
According to the study, exposure can be greatly decreased if a mask is unzipped and allowed to sit for at least 30 minutes.
This shows that the amount of chemicals in these masks may depend on how they are packaged. The scientists discovered that cotton masks had levels of TVOCs that were 14 times lower and didn’t endanger human health.
The impact of persons using the masks, however, was not assessed by the study. In the most recent study, scientists analyzed 14 online-purchased disposable and fabric masks by counting the TVOCs they contained.
The disposable masks were thermoplastic KFAD and KF94 versions constructed of polypropylene and polyurethane nylon.
In contrast to KN95s, which are more widely used in the US, these masks have gained popularity in South Korea, where the research was done.
Their distinctions, nevertheless, are barely noticeable. 94 percent of particles are filtered by KFADs and KF94s, while 95 percent are filtered by KN95s.
The cotton, ramie, a vegetable fiber, and polyurethane used to create the fabric masks.
Evaluating Mask Safety: TVOC Levels, Controversies, and Potential Implications
According to the investigators, these TVOC concentration levels matched to a level that is harmless to the human body (no pertinent health-related concerns).
However, compared to cotton masks, the disposable masks had up to 14 times the amount of TVOCs.
For instance, research conducted by the Cochrane Institute indicated that face masks appeared to have little to no difference in Covid infections and fatalities.
According to the researchers, the negative effects of masks, such as how they interfere with children’s education, were not well assessed in the studies, thus any marginal reduction in infection rates may be outweighed.
Additionally, a contentious study hypothesized that the use of face masks increases the incidence of stillbirths, testicular dysfunction, and child cognitive impairment.
Despite the fact that the study’s findings were published in April, the distribution of Covid variant BA.2.86 in the US may make them even more pertinent now.
However, the recently discovered risks of masks, which are often thought of as the most protective, may render mask laws ineffectual.
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Source: Daily Mail
